These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
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Man who exploited 14-year-old grand-niece for sex sentenced to over 4 years' jail
A drug offender who had sex with his 14-year-old grand-niece on two separate occasions after his release from prison was on Wednesday (July 21) sentenced to 4 1/2 years' jail after pleading guilty to two counts of sexually penetrating a minor. The 57-year-old Singaporean also admitted to other offences - one count each of theft and failing to report for urine tests. The man cannot be named owing to a gag order to protect the girl's identity. The victim had seen the man as somebody she could trust and turn to in times of trouble. The two met each other for the first time in 2019 when he sought shelter at her parents' home after his release from prison for undisclosed offences. He later moved to a Jurong East flat. Between late October and Nov 1 that year, the girl ran away from her home and ended up at the man's place. The pair were alone in the living room when they watched an R21-rated movie which had scenes of rampant drug use. As the movie was about to end, he approached the girl and sexually penetrated her. The next day, he told the girl's mother of her whereabouts and got the woman to pick her up. Deputy Public Prosecutors Muhamad Imaduddien and Grace Teo stated in court documents: "The accused instructed the victim to lie to her mother that she had spent the night alone at the flat, and instructed her not to tell her mother what had happened. The victim complied." About a week later, the man got the girl to deliver him some food. She arrived at the flat soon after and he sexually penetrated her a second time. The DPPs said: "She avoided the flat thereafter because she was afraid that the accused would ask her to participate in sexual acts again. "The accused... committed the offences because he could not control his sexual urges and the victim never resisted his actions.” – The Straits Times
Police station chief in Kajang nabbed while partying inside own station
The chief of a police station was nabbed in a raid by Bukit Aman along with three of his officers and four civilian women while they were partying in a special room at his own police station in the district of Kajang yesterday evening. The raid was conducted by a team from Bukit Aman's Integrity and Standard Compliance department (JIPS) at 6pm following a public tip-off. There were also alcoholic beverages and ketum juice found in the room located on the second floor of the station. The officers and the civilians detained were dancing while singing karaoke in the dark room which also had a swivelling disco ball light. The officers detained were a sub-inspector (station chief), two corporals and a support corporal. The civilians were aged between 21 and 37. The JIPS team also seized bottles of liquor, speakers, disco light, audio system equipment, recorder, microphones and a television. Also seized were five bottles of ketum juice and an obscene photograph believed to be of one of the officers detained with a
woman. Bukit Aman JIPS director Datuk Azri Ahmad confirmed the incident, saying the arrests were made based on a clear violation of conduct. He said what they had done, which was partying at a room in a police station while singing karaoke was against the standard operating procedures (SOP) put in place to combat Covid-19. "We will not compromise with anyone if it is found they had broken the rules or SOPs set," he said when contacted. Investigation into the case is being conducted including taking action under Section 269 of the Penal Code for negligent acts that could spread an infectious disease. – New Straits Times
Domestic flight bans in force
The ban on domestic passenger flights to or from 13 dark-red zones of maximum and strict Covid-19 control took effect on Wednesday. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand announced the indefinite ban on Sunday. It is expected to remain in force for at least 14 days, to Aug 3. CAAT said it was in compliance with the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration's latest decision declaring 13 areas hard-hit by the virus dark-red zones of maximum and strict control. The CCSA restricted travel to and from Bangkok city and the 12 provinces of Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Narathiwat, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Ayutthaya, Yala, Songkhla, Samut Prakan and Samut Sakhon. They are in Greater Bangkok, nearby provinces and southern border provinces. The CAAT said the ban concerns only domestic passenger flights and spares those operating for tentatively reopened provinces, planes making emergency or technical landings and essential flights, including those serving patients and vaccine recipients. It does not apply to cargo flights or international flights. – Bangkok Post
Rainy Wednesday due to 2 weather disturbances; gale warning raised
Most parts of Luzon and Western Visayas are expected to experience rainy weather on Wednesday due to two weather disturbances that will enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat, the state weather service said. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that as of 4AM, typhoon Fabian was last spotted 740 km east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, with maximum sustained winds of 130 kms per hour (kph) near the center, and gustiness of up to 160 kph. It is moving in the west-southwest direction. Meanwhile, severe Tropical Storm Cempaka spotted outside PAR was located at 1,090 km west of extreme northern Luzon. “Itong dalawang weather disturbances ang nag eenhance ng habagat o southwest monsoon sa ating bansa. Ang pinaka apektado ang Luzon at Western Visayas,” weather pintado specialist Benison Estareja said in a virtual briefing. (The two weather disturbances will enhance the southwest monsoon in the country, and Luzon and Western Visayas remain the most affected.) Fabian is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Saturday, and is expected to be located 680 km north of Itbayat Batanes, near the northern coast of Taiwan, where it will continue to decelerate. Pagasa likewise issued a gale warning in the coast of Batanes, northern coast of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Island and western coast of Palawan including Kalayaan Island, which will have a rough to very rough sea condition with 2.5 to 4.5 meters of waves. “Halos dalawang palapag na gusali ang taas ng alon doon kaya pagbabawalan muna ang small sea vessels, lalo na ang mga mangingisda.” (The waves there will be as high as a two-story building, which is why small sea vessels would not be allowed to sail from now.) The remaining parts of the country will also have moderate to rough sea condition, with exception of the southern part of the country, which would have a mild to moderate sea condition. Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, and Northern Palawan including Calamian Islands will experience monsoon rains, while the rest of Luzon and Western Visayas will expect cloudy skies with isolated rains and thunderstorms, according to Pagasa. The rest of the country should expect a fair-weather condition with chances of isolated rains and thunderstorms, PAGASA added. – INQUIRER.net
First session of newly elected 15th-tenure National Assembly opens
The first session of the newly elected 15th-tenure National Assembly (NA) opened Tuesday morning in Ha Noi with strict anti-pandemic measures. Party and State leaders and NA deputies paid floral tributes to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum before the session’s opening ceremony. NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue delivered the opening speech and Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong presented an important remark. Representatives from the National Election Council are scheduled to present a report reviewing outcomes of the elections of deputies to the 15th NA and all-level People’s Councils for 2021-26, as well as the verification of the eligibility of NA deputies. The first session is held in the context the whole country is implementing the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress and particularly the whole political system and people are actively carrying out COVID-19 prevention and control measures to cope with the fourth wave which is developing complicatedly in many localities. The session will lay the foundation for the operation of the National Assembly during its 15th tenure. Legislators will consider and make decisions on the NA's personnel work, elect top State positions, and approve high-ranking positions in the Government, the legislature, the Supreme People’s Court, the Supreme People’s Procuracy and the State Audit Office of Viet Nam; as well as consider and discuss reports on socio-economic situations and decide other important issues. After being elected by the NA, the NA Chairman, the President, the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court will take an oath. During the session, lawmakers will also mull over the Government’s reports on socio-economic development and state budget in the first half of this year, and solutions to realise relevant plans in the second half; and on thrift practice and wastefulness prevention task in 2020. The NA will also consider and approve the five-year socio-economic development plan during 2021-25; five-year national fiscal plan during 2021-25; mid-term public investment plan during 2021-25; and the investment plan on the national target programme on building new-style rural areas and poverty reduction and sustainable social security during the 2021-25 period. The Viet Nam Fatherland Front’s Central Committee will deliver to the plenary session another report on the collected opinions of voters and people. The NA will look into and approve draft resolutions on the law and ordinance building programme for 2022; adjustments to the law and ordinance building programme for 2021; and the NA’s supervision programme and the establishment of a thematic supervising delegation for 2022. The session is scheduled to end on July 31. – Viet Nam News
Cambodia crosses 69,000 case mark as new cases outpace recoveries for the first time this week
High numbers of imported cases caused renewed concern for Cambodia as new cases outpaced recoveries for the first time this week. Following yesterday’s record number of imported cases another high number highlighted the danger to Cambodia of the ‘Delta’ variant of COVID-19 as the total case amount passed the 69,000 mark. Cambodia today announced a daily new cases total of 812, bringing the COVID case total for Cambodia to 69,608 cases – a far cry from before the February 22nd incident where Cambodia had only 500 cases in total. Cambodia also announced 19 new deaths, bringing the total to 1168 direct deaths from COVID-19 in Cambodia. This marks the first-time daily deaths have been below 20 for many weeks. Cambodia’s main concern at the moment is the continued spike in imported cases. 279 imported cases were reported today – raising fears of the ‘Delta’ COVID variant that these imported cases may bring. Hundreds of cases are being reported daily – imported from Cambodia’s neighbours as migrant workers stream across the border. Experts worry of the number of migrants who are choosing to cross the border unofficially – and bringing the ‘Delta’ variant with them. News from yesterday of a 4th COVID warning in 7 days issued on a Phnom Penh supermarket also shows that – despite the high vaccination take up in the capital – COVID-19 still has a firm toehold in the capital. This means that the total number of Community Cases is 62,384 with 7,224 cases being imported. New cases outpaced recoveries for the first time this week with 740 new recoveries announced today – meaning that the active case total rose slightly to 6,654. Active cases have risen from around 5,000 three weeks ago to over 6,500. – Khmer Times
Two Mandalay doctors arrested, as junta’s assault on medical workers continues
Two doctors were arrested in Mandalay last week, offering further evidence of the regime’s targeting of healthcare workers despite a spiralling public health crisis. Dr Thet Htay, 41, and Dr Kyaw Kyaw Thet, 21, were both viciously beaten as they were arrested for taking part in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) against military rule, witnesses told Myanmar Now. Dr Thet Htay was on his way home from a charity hospital where he volunteered his services when he was detained by police and soldiers in Mandalay’s Chanmyathazi Township at around 2pm on July 16. Later that night, he was taken back to the hospital, where soldiers confiscated some of his belongings, including his laptop. “His face was beaten to a pulp,” said Dr Soe Thura Zaw, a fellow CDM participant who spoke to witnesses at the hospital. Dr Thet Htay previously worked at Mandalay General Hospital but practised exclusively as a volunteer surgeon after joining the CDM following the February 1 coup. Among his patients were victims of the junta’s brutal crackdowns on protesters, according to other members of Mandalay’s medical community. Dr Kyaw Kyaw Thet was arrested three days earlier, on July 13, when around 20 soldiers and police stormed his home in Mandalay’s Maha Aungmyay Township. His brother was also detained at the time but was later released. Dr Kyaw Kyaw Thet was teaching medical students online as part of a program organized by the shadow National Unity Government (NUG). He was also providing online medical consultations for Covid-19 patients until his arrest. Dr Soe Thura Zaw speculated that Dr Kyaw Kyaw Thet was targeted for his role in the NUG’s medical training program, which mainly features lectures by instructors based in the UK. The regime likely saw his involvement as a provocation, he said. Both men are currently being held in an interrogation centre, according to family members who spoke to Myanmar Now on condition of anonymity. They added that attempts to contact them have so far been unsuccessful. The arrests come as Myanmar is facing a major public health crisis resulting from the junta’s mismanagement of the response to the third wave of Covid-19 in the country. On Monday, military officials pretending to be Covid-19 patients arrested three doctors who responded to a request for emergency treatment in Yangon’s North Dagon Township. Meanwhile, doctors in Mandalay say that the junta is spreading misinformation, accusing doctors taking part in the CDM of causing more Covid-19 patients to die. “They’re raiding oxygen plants. They’re arresting doctors. And then they say that doctors taking part in the CDM are killing patients? It doesn’t even make any sense. Doctors have been saving lives by volunteering everywhere that they can. The real killers are the military council,” said Dr Soe Thura Zaw. On Monday, the Mandalay Health Society released a statement condemning the arrests of doctors amid the Covid-19 crisis, demanding that they be released as soon as possible. Around 900 CDM doctors have been treating Covid-19 patients by telephone under the NUG’s supervision, according to Dr Zaw Wai Soe, the NUG’s health minister. Around 2,000 final-year medical students have also volunteered to assist, he said. – Myanmar NOW
Oxygen aid flows in as Indonesia fights for breath
For healthy people, oxygen is everywhere, free and taken for granted. But, for COVID-19 patients in Indonesia, medical oxygen has become a precious and life-saving necessity amid a devastating new wave of infections triggered by the highly infectious Delta variant. In the latest infection spike, pneumonia and low blood oxygen levels, or hypoxaemia, have been common in patients. COVID-19 affects patients' respiratory system and causes shortness of breath as it disturbs the function of the lungs to allow the body to absorb oxygen from the air and expel carbon dioxide. According to the task force for COVID-19 handling, Indonesia on July 20, 2021 added 38,325 confirmed cases, bringing the total tally so far to 2,959,058. With 29,791 daily recoveries, the total number of people recovering from the infection touched 2,323,666. Meanwhile, 1,280 people succumbed to the virus in a single day, bringing the death toll since the start of the pandemic in Indonesia on March 2, 2020 to 76,200. To curb the infection surge, the government-imposed emergency movement restrictions on the islands of Java and Bali from July 3 to July 20, 2021. With the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases continuing to remain high, the emergency restrictions have been extended further until July 25. The spike in COVID-19 cases in Indonesia has led to a fivefold increase in the country's daily oxygen requirement from 400 tons to two thousand tons. "We have reported to the cabinet that the demand for oxygen has increased very rapidly from 400 tons per day. Now it has increased to almost two thousand tons per day," Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin informed at an online press conference on July 16, 2021. On July 5, 2021, Maritime Affairs and Investment Coordinating Minister Luhut B. Pandjaitan, in his capacity as coordinator of the emergency restrictions, said that the availability of medical oxygen cylinders matters and must be addressed immediately. The daily oxygen demand in Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta, East Java, Banten, and Bali has reached 2,032 tons, comprising 714 tons for intensive care rooms and 1,318 tons for isolation rooms, according to data from the health ministry. Minister Sadikin recently highlighted three strategies prepared by the government to boost medical oxygen supplies. The first strategy entails importing 600-700 tons of oxygen per day, the second involves utilizing oxygen oversupply of 360-460 tons per day from domestic industries, and, the third encompasses importing oxygen concentrators for hospitals and households. The minister highlighted that the annual production capacity of the nation's oxygen industry is 866 thousand tons, of which 638,900 tons, or 75 percent, is utilized by industries and 27 percent by hospitals. According to the Health Ministry, the nation's daily oxygen requirement for hospitalized and self-isolating COVID-19 patients is pegged at 1,928 tons, while the daily production capacity is 2,262 tons. To meet the nation's daily oxygen needs, the government is converting 575 thousand tons of oxygen
for industries into medical oxygen. It has also decided to import oxygen concentrators, medical oxygen, and oxygen cylinders from China and Singapore. – AntaraNews.Com